Officials believe the chances of the United Nations repaying its $1.16 billion debt for the care of Vietnamese refugees are slim.

The 25-year boat people saga will come to an end if the remaining 1,400 Vietnamese accept the offer of identity cards by May.

But at RTHK's City Forum yesterday, legislator Lau Kong-wah of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong said there would be no conclusion until the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) repaid the debt.

Principal Assistant Secretary for Security So Kam-shing said the Government had tried to seek the repayment in the past few years but had been unsuccessful.

'We must face the reality that the UNHCR has its financial difficulties,' he said.